We had the good fortune of connecting with Erika Bullock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erika, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my business because I saw a gap in the travel industry—especially for people who wanted the experience without the stress. After years of planning travel for family, friends, and corporate teams as an executive assistant, I realized that I had a gift for turning overwhelm into clarity. Travel planning came naturally to me, and I genuinely loved helping people feel taken care of from the moment they said, “I want to go somewhere.”

But I also wanted to build something that felt aligned with my values—freedom, flexibility, and purpose. I knew I could create a brand that wasn’t just about booking trips but about curating ease, rest, and joy for travelers who are often overlooked—especially Black women and families navigating unique needs.

Starting Wander World Destinations gave me the opportunity to serve others in a more meaningful way. It wasn’t just about business—it was about building something of my own that reflected who I am and what I care about: thoughtful service, soulful experiences, and the belief that everyone deserves to travel well.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Wander World Destinations was born out of a desire to make travel feel less overwhelming and more intentional—especially for people who are long overdue for a break. I wanted to create a business that didn’t just book vacations, but held space for rest, joy, and connection. As a travel advisor, I specialize in curated vacations, cruises, all-inclusive stays, and personalized group experiences, with a focus on stress-free service and cultural awareness.

What sets me apart is the way I combine high-touch support with deep empathy. I bring my full self to this work—my detail-oriented mindset from my years as an executive assistant, my lived experience as a Black woman traveler, and my genuine care for each client’s journey. I’ve also earned certifications in cruise planning, luxury resorts, and accessible travel to better serve all kinds of travelers.

Getting here wasn’t easy. Building a business from scratch means making mistakes, learning on the fly, and facing moments where quitting feels easier than continuing. But I stayed focused on the people I serve. Every glowing review, every returning client, every “thank you” reminds me that I’m doing what I was meant to do.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that success doesn’t come from doing everything perfectly—it comes from showing up consistently, learning from your missteps, and staying true to your purpose. I’ve also learned the power of building a brand with heart. People don’t just buy trips—they buy trust, care, and clarity.

What I want the world to know is this: Wander World Destinations is about more than travel. It’s about creating ease for people who are always the ones taking care of everyone else. It’s about helping folks wander well, without worry. And it’s about reminding travelers—especially women, especially us—that we deserve to see the world and be taken care of too.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: Arrival + Chill Vibes • Stay: A boutique hotel in Fort Worth or The Statler in downtown Dallas
• Dinner: Alma Llanera Gastronomy – located in Carollton, this spot offers upscale Latin cuisine in a stylish, intimate space. Great for kicking off the week with bold flavors and beautiful presentation.
• Vibes: Wind down with rooftop views and music at The Henry in Dallas

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Day 2: Fort Worth Culture + Cowgirl Energy
• Morning: Coffee and pastries at Sons of Liberty
• Afternoon: Explore The Fort Worth Stockyards and catch a live rodeo or longhorn cattle drive
• Evening: Dinner at Reata Restaurant (Texas cuisine with rooftop views)
• Nightcap: Whiskey tasting at Thompson’s Bookstore Speakeasy

Day 3: Black Excellence + Art in Dallas
• Brunch: Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley (come hungry!)
• Afternoon: Tour The African American Museum and Dallas Museum of Art
• Dinner: Sushi or steak at Nobu Dallas for a luxe evening
• Night: Catch a live show at The Factory in Deep Ellum or wander murals and music spots in Bishop Arts District

Day 4: Self-Care + Soulful Recharging
• Morning: Spa day at Hiatus Spa + Retreat
• Lunch: Smoothies or vegan soul food at Recipe Oak Cliff
• Afternoon: Shopping at Legacy West or NorthPark Center
• Evening: Wine and jazz at Sandro’s Wine Bar or Soiree Coffee Bar

Day 5: Outdoor Beauty + Sunset Moments
• Morning: Brunch picnic at Klyde Warren Park or White Rock Lake
• Afternoon: Botanical gardens or Dallas Arboretum
• Evening: Dinner at The Monarch (Italian, stunning skyline views)
• After: Catch the golden hour at Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge for the perfect Instagram moment

Day 6: Day Trip Vibes
• Option 1: Take a short drive to Waco for a Magnolia Market experience
• Option 2: Spend the day at AT&T Stadium and explore Texas Live! for food + fun
• Evening: Casual tacos + margaritas at Velvet Taco or Mi Cocina

Day 7: Sunday Soul + Farewell Feels
• Brunch: Gospel brunch at House of Blues Dallas
• Afternoon: Chill and reflect at The Joule Hotel’s spa or rooftop pool
• Goodbye Dinner: Five Bistro or Terilli’s for dinner and rooftop piano bar vibes

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely. I want to dedicate my shoutout to the women in my life—my mother, my tribe of girlfriends, and every client who trusted me in the early days before Wander World Destinations had a name. Their encouragement reminded me that I was capable of building something beautiful and impactful.

I also want to shout out the incredible Black women travel communities that inspired me—spaces like Black Travel Alliance, Travel Divas and other women-led groups that showed me I wasn’t alone in wanting more representation, more luxury, and more joy in our travel stories.

And lastly, I want to thank every entrepreneur who shared their lessons, mistakes, and successes—especially the women who built something from the ground up and showed the rest of us how to do it with grace and grit. You all helped light the path I’m walking now.

Website: www.wanderworlddestinations.com

Instagram: Erika_wanders

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-bullock?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Facebook: Wander World Destinations

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